MONEY SAVING TIPS FOR A FAMILY HOLIDAY ABROAD

Summer’s nearly here and that can only mean one thing………holidays! Holidays abroad as a family can be expensive and because of that many are now choosing to holiday in the UK and forgetting all about their dream destination. I’ve put together some great money saving tips for a family holiday abroad that will give you the extra cash for those little luxuries like clothes, activities, meals, drinks, excursions and more.

1. Get cashback on your holiday
There are many cashback sites out there for you to book your holiday through and get paid for doing so. On average, you will receive a payout of approximately 2.5%, but some providers will reward you with up to 10% cashback, giving you a 10% discount on your holiday. Rpoints has lots of relevant merchants for you to choose from and if you buy your holiday through them, you earn cashback.

2. Go all inclusive
It’s worth thinking about booking your family holidays via travel operators like On the Beach or easyjet Holidays, as you’ll usually find all-inclusive holidays are a much cheaper way to go. They feature good value package deals which will allow you and your partner to relax whilst the children are kept entertained (and tired out) by the all-inclusive activity programmes. These deals usually include flights, transfers, accommodation, unlimited food and drink and sports equipment hire for all the family so they can even work out cheaper than equivalent breaks in the UK.

All Inclusive Holidays are perfect for families as there’s always plenty going on to to keep the kids occupied day and night, along with the bonus of not having to pay for extras such as soft drinks and ice cream.

3. Try alternative transport
If you’re planning a vacation to Europe, then planes aren’t the only way to travel – taking a bus, coach or train could be cheaper. Eurolines operates all over Europe and connects you to over 600 destinations from as little as £19 one way. They have a generous luggage allowance and all coaches feature on board toilets, reclining seats, air conditioning and free wifi, meaning the kids can be occupied with iPads or other handheld devices.

You can also save money on train fares by booking in advance and although they offer no flexibility in terms of changing the time and date of your travel, you could save up to 80% on costs.

4. Prebook Florida excursion tickets
If treating your family to a break in Florida, you could save hundreds of pounds by pre-booking excursion tickets through Floridatix, who are an online ticket specialist for Florida attracts including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Seaworld, Busch Gardens, Discovery Cover and many more. They offer the lowest prices guaranteed, secure online or phone booking, free delivery, no credit card or booking fees and a price match promise.

5. Check exchange rates
It’s important to check the exchange rate of the country you’re travelling to and shop around for the best deal. The strength of the pound versus the destination currency can make a bug difference to your overall costs and buying foreign currency ‘commission free’ doesn’t necessarily mean your being offered the best rate.

Don’t leave it until the last minute as exchange rates at the airport are generally the worst. Some bank accounts provide you with additional services such as preferential rates on travel money or opt for a company like Travelex who will refund you the difference if you can find a better rate elsewhere.

6. Take advantage of the duty free
Travelers can find duty-free products at international airports, border towns, ports, cruise ships and even on-board flights, allowing you to score amazing deals on merchandise such as cosmetics, perfume, jewellery, children’s items, cigarettes, alcohol and more.It’s the perfect opportunity to stock up and save money on luxury goods but be sure to check you’re within the legal limits/allowances and plan in advance how you will get the items home.

7. Kids go free
Treating the kids to the time of their lives is a great feeling and it’s even better when your holiday is affordable and exciting. Many travel operators will offer free travel to kids below a certain age, saving you valuable money. Before you book your holiday, make sure you check what these age brackets are as they can very quite a lot.

8. Get cheap roaming calls
The cost of your mobile phone as you ‘roam’ abroad is high, both for outgoing and incoming calls, but it’s still the most convenient way of communication with loved ones back home. Either invest in an international sim or abandon your mobile all together and purchase an international prepaid phone card. You can purchase one of these cards at the Post Office online.

9. Free guide books
You can borrow guide books from your local library completely free of charge and can even arrange extended loan periods if you are going to be away on holiday for longer than the usual loan period. If you’re after hotel and/or destination recommendations, then are a lot of online travel guides such as Trip Advisor that you can look through before you go.

10. Exchange your loyalty points for a holiday
With loyalty schemes in place like Nectar and Tesco Clubcard, you can usually get much more for your points if you save them and don’t spend them at the supermarket. You can get up to 3x your voucher value on rewards such as flights, holidays and short hotel breaks so it’s well worth storing up your points and spending them on a family break away.

About Vikki

Vikki is the co-founder and style editor of Daily Essential Magazine. She lives in Kent with her fiancé Keith and two little superheroes, Riley 3 and Harry 1. She works as a freelance writer and parenting/lifestyle blogger and has a huge passion for kids fashion and interiors. In her spare time she enjoys horse riding, travelling and photography and has rather large obsession with Instagram and all things monochrome.